Sunday, March 21, 2010

Article 53 The Deacons Corner

The three amigos for a medical company on the way to The Cleveland Clinic. Myself, Paul Rigoni and Mike Bonfig We all worked in CT for this company. I was grateful to be with two of the smartest people at the company. The one thing we had in common other than CT was a sharp sense of humor. As Mike drove our discussions would vary. Sometimes it would be just laughter as we would pull pranks on each other.

I saw a tree in full bloom just like one I have in my back yard. I called it by the name I had been told it was a "Tulip Tree". Miked and Paul just rolled with laughter. Paul said it was a Japanese magnolia.
You see being the only southern person in our group I was always hit with southern jokes. All in good fun. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
When I got back to the hotel my research began. I surfed the web. When I got home I looked in my encyclopedias. I was right, the trees common name was a Tulip tree because the bloom looked like a tulip. Paul was right because it was a Japanese magnolia. Every time I see the blooms on a "Tulip tree" I think of my friends. I miss working with them. I am also reminded we should "test" our knowledge and seek out the truth in Gods word that we are given by others. We find in 1 Thessalonians 5:21:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

I have many good memories of my days at that company. I'll hold fast onto them and God's Word



With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Deacons Corner 3/15/10


Working in the medical field I see people in pain everyday. It reminds me of how much pain this world has in it. There is pain that comes from injuries we suffer. A broken arm maybe from a fall, a hurt back from lifting improperly or maybe pain from a burn while cooking. Yes there is much pain in this world.
I remember visiting with our former interim pastor Dr. Stan May to a lady's home. She felt pain. Her pain was not physical though. It was more of mental pain some real pain some perceived pain. Mostly her pain came from life choices she had made in the past. Family members had deserted her, she was divorced . Her pain was so great I felt as if it slithered onto me by the time we left. Dr. May had a message of Hope for her. He didn't hesitate to share the love of Christ and God. She felt even God had turned His back on her.
So many people become depressed and believe that God has turned His back on them. Even Jesus experienced this type of despair in Mark 15:34 we read And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As Jesus took our sin on himself He seemed all alone. But the good news is we don't have to be. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 ...................and, Lo I am with you Always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

May you know the Love of Jesus Christ

With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Beacon Article 3_10_10

Willie Carter, a great man in my eyes. I am sure you don’t know him. He had a son named Jimmy (no not the president, Jimmy was my uncle). What made Mr. Carter a great man one may ask? Well he was honest, he had integrity and character. A meticulous carpenter people sought him out to build their own house.
He was ordained into the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Muddy River Baptist Church. It was in a day when microphones were unheard of. I don’t think they had been invented yet or at least they were only used by radio stations. Mr. Carter was a very soft spoken man, yet when he spoke his words of wisdom demanded respect.
My grandfather left the ministry for some reason. I was always told it was because people couldn’t hear him when he preached. I hope that is so. I know he never turned his back on God. He never lost faith.
I remember him falling asleep daily reading his bible, while sitting in a naugahyde chair. It took me years to learn that I couldn’t’ go hunting for Naugas, that the chair was made from vinyl.
Oh! I digress.
Character, Mr. Carter (Willie to some, daddy to others but he will always be papaw to me) was the epitome of character. He demonstrated the love of Christ to everyone he met. You see he had many trials and tribulations in his life. My aunt Betty (whom I never knew) was taken from my grandparents at the age of two. His last days were filled with the pain of multiple heart attacks. He never complained.
I think that’s why I love our church so much. The elderly members of our church never complain. They remind me of him.
In Romans 5:1-5 we find how character is built:
5:1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our LordJesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we

stand,and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured

out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
I hope you rejoice in your character building exercises.
Keep the faith and hope as God builds your house of character. .



With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30